<p>I recently decided I'm tired of working jobs I don't like just for the money. I want to study something I'm interested in learning about, and then I can figure out what to do for a living. I seem to be most interested in politics, and international relations specifically, since I've grown up in two different parts of the world, and I can speak both languages fluently, and understand both cultures equally. International affairs, therefore, is what I want to learn about.</p>
<p>I'm tired of being in Sacramento. I am more of a beach and sunshine kind of person. Also, at 25, I don't have much time left to experience the "college lifestyle" I always dreamed about. That's why I'm trying to choose between UCSD and UCSB, as I feel both would provide what I'm looking for.</p>
<p>My question is, which would be a better school academically? Am I way off in choosing these colleges? Are there better options out there??</p>
<p>Obviously, I don't want to sacrifice education for lifestyle, but I do want an exciting college experience and a solid education (that I can afford, and actually get accepted into!)</p>
<p>My GPA so far is 3.25 and I expect to raise it by the time I'm ready to transfer. My grades are this low because I'm working full time and going to school full time, and it's taking me a little to get used to it.</p>
<p>In any case, sorry for the long post, any input is much appreciated.</p>
<p>I don’t know how they are perceived in California, but here in the Northeast, UCSD would be a recognized school for international studies, while UCSB would not be. I’m just talking reputation, not reality.</p>
<p>interesting. Well, my next question, then, would be, is there much consideration given to where you got your undergrad, or does everyone mainly look at your graduate school?</p>
<p>Well you’re not going to find as-good programs in IR as in some other schools, if you’re limited with UCSD and SB. I would expect SD to be stronger in academics, so perhaps that’s your best choice. But of course you said you were a sunshine guy…SB is an amazing place in itself. It just really depends on the kind of experience you want for college and how set you are in IR.</p>
<p>^^^^you know hmom5, that’s actually a good point. The college lifestyle looks cool on tv, but at 25 I might be a little too old for it, and I will quickly realize it’s over-rated. Obviously, my first priority is to study, so I’m not going to sacrifice academics for fun. I will visit both schools and see which I like better.</p>
<p>B man 22: What colleges are you speaking of?</p>
<p>* At 25 the social antics of 18 year olds at UCSB may not be that interesting. Visit, the schools are very different socially. *</p>
<p>Yeah, but that’s assuming that Isla Vista is the only place to live for him. If you’re looking for a quieter environment, you could always live in places like Elwood, the Mesa, etc. Heck you could even live in downtown Santa Barbara and commute to campus via the 24x Express bus (a 19 minute ride to campus). You’d be close to the club scene of Santa Barbara which primarily caters to seniors and graduate students (21-27 predominantly) and avoid those undergrads :)</p>
<p>UCSB would be the better choice, I’ve heard that non-science majors feel neglected at UCSD since the strongest majors at UC-San Diego are biological sciences and there are more resources, research opportunities and extracurricular opportunities for science majors at UCSD</p>
<p>3.2-3.5 in CA is appropriate for Merced, possibly Riverside or Santa Cruz depending on SAT scores.</p>
<p>In the Cal St. system, San Diego St, Long Beach St., Cal st. Fullerton, San Jose St, Cal Poly Pomona. (not San Luis Obispo… that’s more like 3.9 ave.).</p>
<p>^^^^^^^^hmmm. So how come my counselor at my cc tells me that transfer students with 3.0 or above are guaranteed entry, per some sort of agreement, into UC’s like Davis, San Diego, and Santa Barbara?</p>